Maryland cemetery records can be a huge asset to you when you are trying to learn more about the history of your family. Just think about it; you may not have any older family members who can clearly remember details, and the only way you are going to learn certain things is by accessing Maryland cemetery records and other official documents. These documents are fairly easy to get. You will have to make requests for Maryland cemetery records and other documents, and there may be a small administrative fee involved. Maryland Cemetery and gravestone inscriptions are a rich source of information for family historians. For Definitions of all Cemetery Terms See Symbols on Gravestones and Their Interpretations

Visiting Maryland Cemeteries Helps with Genealogical Research

You can call or go online to make your requests, but you may find it much more beneficial to actually visit the cemeteries if you are able to. This is going to help you feel much closer to the subject, and you may be visiting some graves for the very first time, which can be an emotional but worthwhile experience. During your visit, you can request copies of the Maryland cemetery records. The cemetery office may or may not be right there on the site. You may have to visit another place to access the Maryland cemetery records you need.

Learn about Your Family History

We all want to know more about where we come from, and you can learn more when you use Maryland cemetery records to help you trace your ancestry. Not only can Maryland cemetery records tell you information about a person, they can also lead you to other ancestors. This is because many Maryland cemetery records also contain the names of the next of kin of the deceased. In addition, you may even find the names of the deceased’s parents, siblings and more. When you visit the cemeteries, you will see the graves of your ancestors, and maybe find graves of ancestors you did not know existed. You can request further Maryland cemetery records for these ancestors as well.

If you are doing genealogical research, and you want to learn about your Maryland ancestors, one of the best ways is to request Maryland cemetery records, as well as other documents that are available from the State of Maryland.

Research In Maryland Cemetery Records

Cemetery records from several different periods of time have been indexed. Those indexes can be found at the Maryland State Archives. Many journals, such as the Maryland Genealogical Society Bulletin, have also published some of those records. In fact, published records are available for the following counties: Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Cecil, Dorchester, Frederick, Garrett, Harford, Kent, Prince George’s, Queen Anne’s, Saint Mary’s, Somerset, Washington, Wicomico, Worcester

The Maryland Daughters of the American revolution (DAR) have transcribed many tombstone inscriptions. Copies of them can be found in Washington D.C., at the DAR Library, as well as at the Maryland Historical Society.

Further Reading

The Directory of Maryland’s Burial Grounds (Westminster, Md.: Family Line Publications, 1996) – provides the location of public and private cemeteries.

Father of the American Navy. The Revolutionary War was fought on sea as well as on land.

Baltimore City

Booth, John Wilkes 5/10/1838 – 4/26/1865 Green Mount Cemetery

The assassin of President Lincoln. He was born on the small farm of his parents, both British immigrants, in Harford County, Maryland, the ninth of ten children.

Baltimore City

Key, Francis Scott 8/1/1779 – 1/11/1843 Old Saint Pauls Cemetery

Lawyer, poet who penned the national anthem of the United States of America. Born at Terra Rubra, his family’s 1,865 acre plantation in Frederick County just north of Keymar which today is in Carroll County, Maryland, the son of judge John Ross Key and his wife Anne Phebe Penn Dagworthy Charlton.

Baltimore City

Newman, Henry 1/18/1905 – 7/13/1915 Loudon Park National Cemetery

Indian Campaigns Medal of Honor Recipient. He served as a First Sergeant in the US Army in Company F, 5th US Cavalry.

Baltimore City

Poe, Edgar Allan 1/19/1809 – 10/7/1849 Westminster Burial Ground

Author, Poet. Most remembered for his influence on other writers and poets through his imaginative use of literary style and for his near flawless use of rhythm and sound in his poetry.

Actor. He is best remembered for his role of Herman on the television comedy series, “The Munsters” (1964-1966) and for his role of Officer Francis Muldoon in the television comedy series, “Car 54, Where are You?” (1961-1963).

Charles

Smallwood, William 1732 – 2/14/1792 Smallwood State Park

Revolutionary War Army Officer, Maryland Governor. Smallwood was educated in England and Maryland and became a tobacco farmer and merchant.

Frederick

Key, Francis Scott 8/1/1779 – 1/11/1843 Mount Olivet Cemetery

Lawyer, poet who penned the national anthem of the United States of America. Born at Terra Rubra, his family’s 1,865 acre plantation in Frederick County just north of Keymar which today is in Carroll County, Maryland, the son of judge

Montgomery

Fitzgerald, F. Scott 9/24/1896 – 12/21/1940 Saint Marys Cemetery

Author. One of the most celebrated of American writers, famed for his evocative stories of the 1920s.

Montgomery

Fitzgerald, F. Scott 9/24/1896 – 12/21/1940 Rockville Cemetery

Author. One of the most celebrated of American writers, famed for his evocative stories of the 1920s.